System, method, and apparatus for a dynamic transaction card

Abstract

A dynamic transaction card with a display for providing barcodes is described. The barcodes can be generated by driving individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) of the display at frequencies of greater than 50 Hz. Due to the high frequency, the barcode can be readable by a barcode scanner, while remaining invisible to the human eye. The barcode can also be generated by driving a first set of LEDs at a different frequency and/or time interval than a second set of LEDs. Light waves from the first set of LEDs can constructively interfere with light waves from the second set of LEDs to create spatial voids readable by the barcode scanner.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of operating a dynamic transaction card comprising:
 receiving application data at a microprocessor, the application data including instructions to generate a barcode; 
 transmitting, by the microprocessor, the instructions to generate the barcode to a display component comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); and 
 generating, by the display component, the barcode, wherein generating the barcode comprises:
 driving individual LEDs of the plurality of LEDs at frequencies of greater than 50 Hz; and 
 creating an analog wave with spatial light voids readable by a barcode scanner, the spatial light voids created by light from individual LEDs interfering with light from other LEDs of the plurality of LEDs. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein driving the individual LEDs comprises:
 driving a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs at a first frequency to produce a first set of light waves; and 
 driving a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs at a second frequency to produce a second set of light waves; 
 wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different; and 
 wherein the first set of light waves constructively interferes with the second set of light waves to create the spatial light voids. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the barcode comprises:
 driving a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs starting at a first time and at a first frequency to produce a first set of light waves; and 
 driving a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs starting at a second time and at a second frequency to produce a second set of light waves; 
 wherein the first time and the second time are different; and 
 wherein the first set of light waves constructively interferes with the second set of light waves to create the spatial light voids. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are the same frequency. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different frequencies. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving, at an antenna, the instructions to generate the barcode from a mobile device. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a sensor, an input to activate the display component; and 
 activating, by the microprocessor, the display component; 
 wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a capacitive touch sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a load cell, or an accelerometer. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the microprocessor, current generated by light striking at least a portion of the plurality of LEDs; and 
 activating, with the microprocessor, the dynamic transaction card in response to the current. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a first level of n-type doping; 
 a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a second level of n-type doping; and 
 the second level of n-type doping is lower than the first level of n-type doping. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a first level of p-type doping; 
 a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a second level of p-type doping; and 
 the second level of p-type doping is greater than the first level of p-type doping. 
 
     
     
       11. A dynamic transaction card comprising:
 a microprocessor to receive instructions to generate a barcode and transmit a signal to generate the barcode; 
 a display component comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the display component:
 receiving the signal to generate the barcode from the microprocessor; 
 driving individual LEDs of the plurality of LEDs at frequencies of greater than 50 Hz; and 
 creating an analog wave with spatial light voids readable by a barcode scanner, the spatial light voids created by light from individual LEDs interfering with light from other LEDs of the plurality of LEDs. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the display component drives a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs at a first frequency to produce a first set of light waves; 
 the display component drives a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs at a second frequency to produce a second set of light waves; 
 the first frequency and the second frequency are different; and 
 the first set of light waves constructively interferes with the second set of light waves to create the spatial light voids. 
 
     
     
       13. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the display component drives a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs starting at a first time and at a first frequency to produce a first set of light waves; 
 the display component drives a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs starting at a second time and at a second frequency to produce a second set of light waves; 
 the first time and the second time are different; and 
 the first set of light waves constructively interferes with the second set of light waves to create the spatial light voids. 
 
     
     
       14. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 13 , wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are the same frequency. 
     
     
       15. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 13 , wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different frequencies. 
     
     
       16. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 11 , further comprising an antenna to receive the instructions to generate the barcode from a mobile device. 
     
     
       17. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 11 , further comprising a sensor to receive an input to the dynamic transaction card;
 wherein the sensor transmits a signal to the microprocessor upon receiving the input; 
 wherein the microprocessor activates the display component upon receiving the signal, and 
 wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a capacitive touch sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a load cell, or an accelerometer. 
 
     
     
       18. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the display component generates a current from light striking at least a portion of the LEDs; 
 the microprocessor receives the current from the display component; and 
 the microprocessor activates the card in response to the current. 
 
     
     
       19. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 18 , wherein:
 a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a first level of n-type doping; 
 a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a second level of n-type doping; and 
 the second level of n-type doping is lower than the first level of n-type doping. 
 
     
     
       20. The dynamic transaction card of  claim 18 , wherein:
 a first set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a first level of p-type doping; 
 a second set of LEDs of the plurality of LEDs has a second level of p-type doping; and 
 the second level of p-type doping is greater than the first level of p-type doping.